Different Positions of Subjects By: Mrs. Keller

Different Positions of Nouns The subject of a sentence is not always in the same place Sometimes it comes before the verb and sometimes it comes after the verb Sometimes the subject does not appear in the sentence at all

Natural Order and Inverted Order A sentence is in natural order when the subject comes before the verb. Example: The monkeys at the zoo make me laugh. Example: Snakes are always a favorite attraction.

Natural Order and Inverted Order When the verb or part of the verb phrase comes before the subject, the sentence is in inverted order. Example: On the branch of a tree sat a cat. Example: Nearby lived the crazy cat lady.

Inverted Order To find the subject in a sentence in inverted order, turn the sentence around to its natural order. Example: (Inverted Order) From deep in the forest appeared the soldiers. (Natural Order) The soldiers appeared from deep in the forest. Example: (Inverted Order) Out of the dark night roared the thunder of a cannon. (Natural Order) The thunder of a cannon roared out of the dark night.

Inverted Order Questions are usually written in inverted order. To find the subject easily in a question, change the question to a statement. Question: Did differences arise between the North and the South? Statement: Differences did arise between the North and the South. Question: Was the North a place of large cities? Statement: The North was a place of large cities.

Inverted Order and Natural Order Sentences beginning with there or here followed by is, are, was, were, or another form the verb be are also in inverted order. To find the subject easily in such a sentence, turn it around to its natural order.

Examples Here is an artifact from the Civil War. (Inverted Order) An artifact from the Civil War is here. (Natural Order) There is a Civil War museum in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (Inverted Order) A Civil War museum is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (Natural Order)